Finding Us| ✔️

Chapter 15

His lips disappear with an annoying mist. He dissolves into thin air, leaving me confused and hurt. "Kaden?" I call out into the empty void that has formed.

No answer. Instead, I'm met with ankle-high water, and I sludge my way through it, calling out to him. Where could he have gone? I think to myself, but my thoughts are voiced out loud, echoing off the wall-less area.

I see lights. Two of them, shining very bright and coming towards me. So I wave frantically, shouting for them to stop until... It's a car.

Coming straight at me.

My heart stops, my feet glued to the endless floor, and I watch as the car grows bigger and bigger. I let out a scream, just as it swerves to the left, tires squealing. Panic leaves an annoying clamp on my heart when I tentatively step over to where the car crashed. Inside, I saw four people. They looked... like my family.

They too, like Kaden, disappeared in an instant. The smell that forms before a rain greets me as I walk forward to where the car once was, reaching into the mist. Once my hand was wet I pulled it out, only to feel that it isn't wet anymore, and I examine it while moving it around.

I practically jump when Kaden's voice rips through the air. He says gently, "Luce. Wake up."

Gasping for breath like a fish, my eyes snap open and I almost slam my head against the roof of the car. "Hey," Kaden holds my shoulders steadily. "Just dropped Sarah and Beth off. Ready to go home?"

I just nod my head, adjusting myself in my seat enough to stretch out my now aching muscles. Kaden keeps glancing at me like he's expecting me to say something, but the dream leaves me embarrassed and speechless. "Did... Did I tell you something important before I fell asleep?" I ask after trying to sort out what was a dream and what wasn't. He didn't kiss me, that's for sure. But did I tell him about Beth?

"Uh, no," He raises an eyebrow at me. Then he places his hand over mine comfortingly, though it just makes me feel uncomfortable. "Are you okay? You look a little pale."

"I'm always pale," I point out.

Kaden nods stiffly. I remember how hard it is to lie around him, though I've never had to because I told him everything. Casting a glance at him, I wish I could go back to that. So to make him feel better, I suggest, "Why don't we go to the drive-in tonight?"

"Tonight?" He asks. His eyebrow raises in surprise.

I shrug, lifting my lips in a small smile that he instantly returns. "Yeah. It'll be nice out. Just us, the screen, and the mosquitos. Like our freshman year."

"That sounds nice," He says, his voice laced with relief and excitement as he pulls up to my house. "So, seven tonight I'll pick you up?"

"Sure and-"

"-Don't forget the snacks and drinks to sneak in." Kaden grins at me. "I know. And if it's just like freshman year, do I get to call you Loo Loo again?"

I scrunch my nose, unbuckling my seatbelt and reaching into the backseat for my suitcase. "No. We don't speak of that."

He laughs. The sounds brings another grin to my own face, but I turn away and start walking to my house through the humid air.

"Bye, Loo Loo!"

"I hate you!" I tease back, flipping him the bird even though I mean anything but.

Kaden raises his middle finger also. "Love you too!"

~*~

At exactly seven, Kaden honks his car in the driveway. When I walk out the front door, I peek over the mountain of blankets in my arms to find him leaning out of the passenger window while holding the bags of candy. I smile at him then say, "Quit sitting there with that stupid smile and help me."